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Spinoff story
Oil Saving Seal
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Under a NASA contract, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and TRW Ramsey Corporation developed the oil saving seal. Oil in an automobile must be replaced every few thousand miles, not because it wears out but because it becomes contaminated. RC-34 elastomer ring functions as sealing gasket between metal piston ring and piston, made to withstand the environmental extremes of interplanetary flight. Synthetic rubber ring is designed so gas pressure increases sealing effect. As outer metal piston ring wears under long use, RC-34 seal expands to fill wear gaps and, therefore, maintains a tight seal to prevent blowby.